Trump’s Ambassador-Designate Eyes India’s Middle Class, Pushes for US Oil Sales

International News: US President Donald Trump's nominee for India's next ambassador, Sergio Gor, while giving a statement in the Senate on Thursday, said that the Trump administration wants India to give priority to buying American crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG in view of its vast middle class population and growing economic market. He said that the ongoing trade talks are focused in this direction.

US interest in India's huge market

Gore said, "India's population of more than 1.4 billion and rapidly growing middle class present countless opportunities for us. The main purpose of our trade conversation is to open these markets to American oil and energy products." He also added that the US and India have long-term strategic interests, which increase opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.

Oil and trade pressure from Russia

Gore's statements come at a time when the Trump administration has put pressure on India to stop buying oil from Russia, claiming that the deal provides financial support to Moscow in the Ukraine war. India has rejected this demand and made it clear that its oil deals are based on market and national interests.

Progress in tariff and trade talks

Gore told the Senate that the US and India are not far apart on tariff issues, and a solution is possible in the coming weeks. He said that the relationship between the two countries is much warmer and strategically more important than that with China.

Strategic relationship between the US and India

Gore, who is also a close aide of Trump and director of the White House's Presidential Personnel Office, said that the two countries can work in common strategic interests for a long time. He stressed that despite the recent sourness in US-India relations, the relationship is strong and positive for the future.

New initiatives of the administration

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio introduced Gore in the Senate and said that India is one of the top strategic partners of the US. Trump also hinted at resuming talks between the two countries after the recent tariffs imposed on India and the additional duty on Russian oil. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the US stance and expressed commitment to maintaining friendship.